Mr. Gihon is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Immigration and Nationality Law and has been practicing law for over two decades. He focuses his practice on immigration and criminal defense. Mr. Gihon has extensive experience as both an immigration attorney and a criminal defense attorney. Mr. Gihon is the immediate past Chapter Chair for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Central Florida Chapter, and is the Vice Chair of the Florida Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Certification Committee.
Previoulsy, Mr. Gihon has served as a Senior Attorney with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As an ICE Attorney, Mr. Gihon handled all forms of removal/deportation proceedings including those involving aggravated felonies, drug trafficking, national security and human rights issues, and more.
Mr. Gihon also handled cases involving all forms of deportation/removal relief including asylum, withholding of removal, cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents and for those who are not lawful permanent residents, adjustment of status, 212(c) relief, and many others. As an ICE attorney, Mr. Gihon obtained Top Secret Clearance and assisted federal and local law enforcement officers assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). During his tenure with ICE, Mr. Gihon was promoted to Senior Attorney.
Mr. Gihon has also served as a panelist and guest speaker at many Immigration and Criminal Law events throughout Florida and has provided multiple CLE-accredited trainings to attorneys.
Mr. Gihon has appeared on national and local television to talk about immigration issues and criminal cases. Most Recently, Mr. Gihon has appeared live on the FoxNews Network national TV show Fox&Friends to discuss President Obama's immigration executive action plan, border security and national security issues.
Mr. Gihon is a member of the Florida Bar and the Federal Bars for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
Prior to becoming an immigration lawyer with ICE, Mr. Gihon started his career in criminal law by joining the State Attorney's Office in Jacksonville, Florida in 2002 as a criminal prosecutor. For his first 6 years, he prosecuted thousands of cases ranging from simple misdemeanors all the way up to first degree murder cases. Mr. Gihon rose through the ranks at the State Attorney's Office becoming a Division Chief over a felony division and oversaw several other Assistant State Attorneys. He also became a member of the homicide unit, prosecuting homicide cases.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mr. Gihon obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Florida in 1999 with honors. Mr. Gihon obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida in 2002, also with honors.
2
Practice Areas
18 years
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Chat withState: Florida
Acquired: 2002
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409 Montgomery Rd, Suite 115, Altamonte Springs, FL, 32714
Showing 1 - 5 of 15 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Khasan M | September 12, 2025 | Hired Attorney
John is truly the best! Great communication, excellent results, and genuine care for his clients.
Posted by Shokh | May 9, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I had an amazing experience working with John during my green card process. What truly sets him apart from other lawyers I’ve encountered is his honesty, integrity, and genuine commitment to helping people—not just making money. From day one, John was upfront, transparent, and focused entirely on ...
Posted by Nihat Ercan | June 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney
l don’t know how can l explain myself or explain how l am grateful for mr.gihon! he is best of best for sure,as a immigrant l have lots of immigrant friend and l heard all their stories with their lawyers,some of them still trying to remove their deportation case! l told my 2 close friend about mr.gi...
Posted by Juan | November 17, 2021 | Hired Attorney
From somebody that hates attorneys as I do, this review goes against my own believes. John proved me that not all attorneys are the same. His efficiency, professionalism and ability to produce results was outstanding. Do not think about it twice, if you have an immigration issue hire John.
Posted by Greg | June 11, 2020 | Hired Attorney
My wife and I worked with John Gihon for 2 years and we truly wish we would have found him earlier. We spent 3 years with 3 other lawyers and our case was becoming hopeless. The last attorney referred us to Mr Gihon and it was the best thing that could have happened. He and his staff are very pro...
"I had the pleasure of having weekly virtual meetings with John as he was our leader in an immigration group. When I was first licensed to practice law, John took special care to teach and mentor me in all areas of immigration law. l will always be grateful to him for those informative early years of my career. I highly recommend John, He's the best!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Extremely dedicated and goes the extra mile to ensure a favorable outcome for our mutual clients. Highly recommended."
"John was not an easy adversary to go up against in Orlando immigration court. He was always thoroughly prepared to make any and all legal and factual arguments on behalf of the government. It has been a pleasure to see him take his expertise to this side of the law and help immigrants fight for their rights in this system. His clients are truly fortunate to have him on their side and I do not hesitate for a second to endorse him! I just hope he stays on this side for good :)"
"John is the kind of lawyer other lawyers enjoy working with - an extremely knowledgeable, diligent and ethical team player. John's assistance ensured a favorable outcome for our mutual client and I won't hesitate to refer him matters in the future."
"I highly endorse this lawyer. John is an exceptional attorney. He is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in criminal immigration issues and an expert in removal proceedings. He is humble, hard working and always willing to help his colleagues. Would not hesitate to refer him any removal cases."
"Mr. Gihon is a true expert in the field of criminal immigration matters. I have conferred with him on a number of complex immigration cases and have benefitted greatly from his experienced and thoughtful counsel. I endorse him without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly. John is highly knowledgeable and experienced. He is compassionate, humble, and a zealous advocate. One of the best lawyers I know!"
"Mr. Gihon is a highly-skilled attorney, who has been invaluable in his contributions to his local chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association."
"I endorse John based on his impressive experience, client service, and authority in the immigration field. I would not hesitate to recommend him to friends and family."
"I highly recommend this attorney! His experience and guidance allows his clients to feel comfortable with this process."
"John is a superb litigator. We have been on opposing sides on many immigration cases when he was a trial attorney for DHS/ICE but he was always courteous, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. WIth John on your side, you're in great hands!"
"John is an excellent attorney and my go-to for any client I have who made need assistance with immigration."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Gihon is an excellent attorney who is both incredibly knowledgeable of the law and also cares about his clients."
"John is an extremely experienced attorney with a unique skill set. As a former Assistant State Attorney and former Immigration Prosecutor, John brings an inside view of how a criminal case and how an immigration case is processed by the government. That type of experience is invaluable. He has trained government officials, presented seminars to attorneys in both the criminal and immigration fields and has practiced extensively in both criminal court and immigration court. I'm proud to call John my law partner."
Immigration lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Real estate lawyer
Immigration lawyer
2016
Outstanding Contributions to the Chapter, AILA Central Florida
2015
Board Certification in Immigration and Nationality Law, Florida Bar
2013
Special Achievement Award, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2012
Special Achievement Award, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2011
Special Achievement Award, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2010
Special Achievement Award, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2009
Special Achievement Award, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2001
Pro Bono Award, University of Florida, Levin College of Law
2023 - Present
Partner, Lasnetski Gihon Law
2014 - 2022
Partner, Shorstein, Lasnetski and Gihon
2012 - 2014
Senior Attorney, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2008 - 2012
Assistant Chief Counsel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2002 - 2008
Assistant State Attorney - Fourth Judicial Circuit, State Attorney's Office
2022 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Immigration Law SectionVice Chair
2021 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (South Florida Chapter)Member, Vice Chair of Asylum Committee
2018 - Present
Catholic Lawyers Guild - Central FloridaBoard Member, Vice President
2018 - Present
Catholic Lawyers Guild - Central FloridaBoard Member, Vice President
2017 - Present
Florida Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Board Certification CommitteeMember
2016 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember, Immigration and Nationality Committee
2016 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Seminole County Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Catholic Lawyers Guild - Central FloridaFounding Member
2014 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Central Florida chapter)Member
2014 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2021 - 2022
Florida Bar, Immigration and Nationality Law Certification CommitteeChair
2020 - 2021
Florida Bar Immigration and Nationality Law Board Certification CommitteeVice Chair
2019 - 2021
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Central Florida Chapter)Chair
2017 - 2019
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Central Florida chapter)Executive Vice Chair
2016 - 2017
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Central Florida chapter)Secretary
2015 - 2016
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Central Florida chapter)Board of Directors
2014 - 2016
Federal Bar Association, Immigration Law SectionMember
2014 - 2019
Seminole County Chamber of CommerceMember
1999 - 2008
Federalist SocietyMember
Client released from detention and immigration case dismissed
2002
JD - Juris Doctor
1999
Bachelor of Arts
2016
Immigration
2016
Immigration
2016
Juvenile Immigration Consequences
2016
Crimmigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecutioni
2016
Immigration Court Practice
2016
Crimigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2016
Practice Management / New Members CLE
2016
Crimmigration
2016
BIA and Federal Court Updates and Creative Crimmigration Defense Strategies.
2015
Crimmigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2015
Crimmigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2015
Crimmigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2015
Immigration
2015
Immigration
2015
Motions and Federal Litigation
2015
Immigration
2015
Immigration Enforcement Issues
2015
Crimmigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2015
Crimigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2015
Asylum - From Application to Approval
2015
Basics of Practicing in Immigration Court
2015
Federal Court Litigation Update Panel
2015
Immigration (Motion Practice Before the Immigration Court and Federal Litigation)
2014
Truth about Immigration Crisis
2014
The Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law
2014
2014
Crimmigration - The Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2014
Introduction to Crimmigration
2014
Immigration Court Practice
2014
Ask the Experts: Recent Trends in Immigration Court
2012
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2012
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2012
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2012
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2011
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2011
Immigration Consequences for Criminal Prosecutions
2011
Introduction to Domestic Violence Prosecution for Prosecutors
2011
Practicing Before the Department of Homeland Security
2010
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2010
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2010
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2010
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2010
Criminal and Immigration Law
2010
Crimes and Immigration Consequences, & Cancellation of Removal
2009
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Prosecution
2012
2010
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